Prospect Hts. police waiting to hear about jobs

About half of the Prospect Heights Police Department's 22-person force came to a city council meeting Monday night to hear if they would be keeping their jobs.

But after an hourlong closed session, city officials delayed a decision that could cut four to six officers from the department.

“Expect an announcement this week, but we are unable to comment at this time,” Mayor Dolly Vole told the audience largely made up of officers and city employees.

An arbitrator ruled last week that the city improperly instituted furlough days for police personnel when it asked all city workers to take 30 unpaid days off a year starting in July 2009.

The police union, the Metropolitan Alliance of Police, argued that the officers' collective bargaining agreement didn't allow furloughs.

But the agreement did say the city could lay off officers, starting with the most junior members of the force.

Vole said the city continues to meet with the police union “in good faith” and suggested that layoffs could be averted.

City Administrator Anne Marrin said she will be meeting with Police Chief Bruce Morris on Tuesday morning. She met with different patrol shifts of the department on Friday and Monday.

“Nobody likes to lay off,” Marrin said. “We hope to have a better resolution than something that drastic.”

If layoffs were implemented, there would be “cataclysmic” consequences for public safety in Prospect Heights, Police Chief Bruce Morris said after the meeting.

“Layoffs would jeopardize the safety of officers,” said Morris, who wasn't allowed in the closed session.

He said he'll be going about his week as normal but didn't comment further.

Vole said the union has asked for a 48-hour period to meet with its members before continuing talks with the city.

Officers gathered didn't provide any comment, and union officials couldn't be reached.